Australian varsity asks Bachchan to reconsider rejecting doctorate

New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Australia's Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has asked Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to reconsider his decision to decline a honorary doctorate in the wake of a series of racist attacks on Indian students in that country.

In a letter in response to Bachchan's denial to the doctorate Saturday, QUT vice chancellor Peter Coaldrake has expressed his respect for Big B's decision.

"We understand your dilemma and fully respect your decision about the difficulty of accepting the award at this juncture," Coaldrake said in the letter, a scanned copy of which has been posted on Bachchan's blog at www.bigb.bigadda.com.

The honorary doctorate for his contribution to the world of entertainment was to be conferred upon him in July at the Brisbane Film Festival where a retrospective of some of his best films is also to be showcased.

But the actor declined to accept the honour due to "emotional" reasons.

Now, on behalf of the university, the professor has approached the 66-year-old star again and said: "If and when it is appropriate, your further consideration of the honour will go a long way in enhancing the mutual understanding between our two countries....

"You are in a unique position to play a leadership role in healing wounds that must be healed.

"We sincerely hope the circumstances improve and that at a later day, the opportunity will be available to acknowledge your contribution," he added.